Dedicated volunteers deliver for Meals on Wheels

As our area struggles through another heat wave, we want to thank the volunteers of Meals on Wheels of Lehigh and Northampton counties for their dedication. Each weekday, 140 volunteers head out in the full heat of the day, traveling hundreds of miles and getting in and out of their vehicles dozens of times as they stop at clients' homes, delivering meals in the most challenging of conditions. Their willingness to endure record-setting high temperatures and oppressive humidity ensures that our homebound clients receive the meals they need.

The volunteers also provide an invaluable service by reporting on any clients who may be suffering in the extreme heat. Our clients are particularly vulnerable, many living alone and seeing no one all day except for our volunteers. The check on their well-being is a potentially lifesaving link to the outside world, alerting us to clients who may be in dangerous situations.

The extremes of weather may be unusual, but the commitment shown by our remarkable volunteers is not. Because of their dedication, hundreds of homebound individuals receive not only meals but also the peace of mind of knowing that someone cares.